Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton impress Kubiak

Since camp began on Saturday, just about everyone has watched the right side of the offensive line at one time or another.

Tackle Rashad Butler and guard Antoine Caldwell are the news starters in place of Eric Winston and Mike Brisiel. But second-year right tackle Derek Newton (6-6, 318) and rookie right guard Brandon Brooks (6-5, 340) are imposing physical specimens with a lot of talent.

“I think there have been flashes,” coach Gary Kubiak said after the morning practice about Newton and Brooks. “I think that Gump (Caldwell) has done some good things. Butler has done some good things. The young guard (Brooks) has big-time ability, but he has to catch up. You see flashes of what you’re looking for.

“I think Newton is still a young player, but he’s a physical player. It’ll be interesting. It’ll sort itself out in the games, probably not in practice.”

With Butler and Caldwell in the last year of their contracts, at this time next year, the Texans could have new starters on the right side for the second consecutive season.